Satsangs

Satsang is a compound Sanskrit word that means “keeping the company of the Self.” The Self, Awareness, is the true nature of everyone and one keeps company with it by continually meditating on it in many ways. One of the most effective methods involves discussing non-dual teachings with someone who has realized his or her identity as the Self, to get clarity with reference to Self inquiry. The satsangs posted here are the questions of many people around the world who are interested in enlightenment and find that Vedanta is their preferred means of Self knowledge. Since I am a teacher of Vedanta, a time tested means of self inquiry, I am qualified to reply to these questions.~James Swartz

ShiningWorld Reader

Cynthia: Dear Ram, when I wake up in the morning it is like switching on the computer and all the words you’ve written before appear on the screen of the “mighty” mind. The whole world seems to be consistent with the days before and the past a fact which cannot be extinguished. But with skillful understanding the mind goes in a different direction.

I am starting to love my mind, Ram, because it is able to deal with both the ignorance and the knowledge. In ignorance I give the power to the unconsciously conditioned mind. With knowledge of the self I take charge of the mind. The mind can go either way, but what you do is to show people how to turn the mind toward Reality.

In Reality there isn’t time or history, only non-discriminating awareness, which works with the discriminating mind, which does its work all the time in the waking state, a little differently in the dream state and not at all in the sleep state. The mind organizes things into a kind of order that makes it easy to function well in the world. When the conditioning is bad or there is disease the mind becomes disordered and mental illness comes.

When you give the mind Real Knowledge it uses its discriminating power to transcend its limitations. After giving thought to conditioning and concepts I think you are right: as long as I am a human being I will have a mind, and the mind functions only in concepts, positive and negative. So the best I can hope for is to chose the highest concept and give it to the mind so it can work from it. Now I also understand the meaning of your words: “So as soon as you refuse to accept the idea that something is missing you will relax and see that you are already Home.” Thank you!

~ Yours, Cynthia

Ram: It seems you are beginning to properly assimilate the science of the self.

Contacting Shining World

For years I have happily and diligently responded to communications on the topic of Self realization. Since the publication of my book, “How to Attain Enlightenment”— currently in its third printing —and the success of this website, the volume of emails has increased considerably. Unfortunately, owing to a busy schedule of teaching and writing, I am no longer able to answer all the emails I receive in a timely fashion. However, my wife, who is also a teacher, and several well-qualified teachers we have endorsed are available to answer emails on my behalf. I encourage you to send them your questions.
— James SwartzContact Us